Irving Police Department History: 2000s

On Christmas Eve, 2000 tragedy once again struck our department when officer Aubrey Hawkins answered a suspicious circumstance call at an Oshman’s Sporting Goods Store. As he drove to the back of the location he was met by a hail of gunfire from numerous escaped convicts who had just robbed the store as they were loading up the stolen merchandise. The suspects would later be called the “Texas Seven” by the media and a manhunt for the killers was launched the likes of which had never been seen before. Eventually six of the seven were captured and the seventh committed suicide when surrounded by law enforcement in Colorado. The six were brought back to Texas, were tried and each sentenced to death. At this time all are on Death Row awaiting their punishment.

Construction was completed on the department’s first Sub Station located on Love Drive. Sub Station No. 1 housed the Mobile Command Post and Tactical and K-9 Units until the North Police Station was completed in 2002.

A new emblem was designed for patrol vehicles and was submitted by a committee of officers. This change reflected the continuing efforts of the department and personnel to upgrade, modernize, and promote pride and professionalism.The North / South Split
February of 2002 marked the creation of a patrol split. Personnel and units north of S.H. 183 are assigned to North Patrol and work out of the North Station. Personnel south of S.H. 183 are assigned to the Criminal Justice Center. A captain heads each Patrol Division.
North Station
The city bought the complex at 5992 N. O’Connor, office area, and warehouse space from Las Colinas Corporation. The Parks and Recreation Department uses one building and the warehouse area for a north service center. The other building was given to the Police Department. The North Station has 19,773 square feet. The building was renovated with 1.5 million dollars from bond money. The North Station has a workout center, classroom space, and office space for future use. The station also has a computer lab for computer crime investigations. A bicycle workshop is housed in the station for repairs and maintenance of the department’s bicycles. The move into the facility was completed in March of 2002, and the official dedication was held on April 12, 2002.